ICC CLASSIFICATION OF OFFICIAL CRICKET With effect from 1 October 2017
With effect from 1 October 2017 The following matches shall be classified as Official Cricket: 1 MEN S CRICKET 1.1 TEST MATCHES Test matches are those which: a) Are played in accordance with the ICC Standard Test Match Playing Conditions and other ICC regulations pertaining to Test matches; and b) Are between: i) Teams selected by Full Members of the ICC as representative of the Member Countries (Full Member Teams). A Full Member Team and a composite team selected by the ICC as representative of the best players from the rest of the world classified as Test matches. 1.2 ONE DAY INTERNATIONALS (ODI) ODI matches are those which: a) Are played in accordance with the ICC Standard One Day International Playing Conditions and other ICC regulations pertaining to ODI Matches; and b) Are between: i) Any teams participating in and as part of the ICC Cricket World Cup or ICC Champions Trophy; or i iv) Full Member Teams; or A Full Member Team and any of the top 4 Associate teams or Any of the top 4 Associate teams; or v) A Full Member Team (or top 4 Associate and a composite team selected by the ICC as representative of the best players from the rest of the world). Note: The identity of the top 4 Associate teams will be determined through the ICC World Cup Qualifier tournament. ICC will determine the precise point during the tournament at which the new top 4 shall take effect. classified as ODI matches. 2
1.3 TWENTY20 INTERNATIONAL MATCHES Twenty20 International Matches are those which: a) Are played in accordance with the ICC Standard Twenty20 International Playing Conditions and other ICC regulations pertaining to Twenty20 Matches; b) Are between: i) Any teams participating in and as part of the ICC World Twenty20 or i iv) Full Member Teams; or A Full Member Team and any of the Associate Member teams whose matches have been granted ODI status (i.e. the top 4 Associates). A Full Member team and the Netherlands and Oman in matches played prior to the end of the WT20 Qualifier 2019. v) Any other matches between a Full Member and a World XI of suitable calibre that the ICC Board, by exception and in advance, decides to award T20I status. vi) Matches between any of the Associate Member teams whose matches have been granted ODI status (i.e. the top 4 Associates). v Matches between any of the Associate Member teams whose matches have been granted ODI status (i.e. the top 4 Associates) and the Netherlands and Oman in matches played prior to the end of the WT20 Qualifier 2019. classified as Twenty20 international matches. Performances in Test matches, ODIs or Twenty20 International matches that are abandoned (after the toss) for any reason, including the pitch being considered too dangerous for play to continue, are still recorded in official records. 1.4 OTHER OFFICIAL INTERNATIONALS Any limited overs match between Associate international teams other than those already classified as ODIs/T20Is. Such matches are only other official internationals if played as part of a global or regional ICC event or competition; or agreed with and under the auspices of the ICC Development Programme / High Performance Programme. Note: These matches, inter alia, will always be subject to ICC officials arrangements, qualification rules and the ICC approved Code of Conduct and playing conditions. 1.5 FIRST-CLASS MATCHES First-Class Matches are those matches of three or more days duration between two sides of eleven players played on natural turf pitches and substantially conforming to ICC standard playing conditions. A Full member may, if it wishes, introduce playing regulations allowing the 11 playing members of a side to be changed after the start of a match without the match forgoing its first-class status, provided any such 3
changes are made by the Governing Body and relate solely to a player s call-up to or release from international duty (U19 level or above). Concussion substitutes (2 year trial from 1 October 2017 to 30 September 2019) a player who is diagnosed as concussed, or likely to be concussed, and deemed unable to play any further part in the match may be replaced with a full-playing substitute without the match forgoing its first-class status. However, no playing members of a side in a first-class match may be replaced for reasons of tactics or injury (other than a concussion substitute). In the following Rules the term Governing Body is restricted to Full Members. Rules a) The status of all matches in an official ICC competition shall be decided by ICC. For matches outside of official ICC competitions, b. and c. below shall apply. b) Full Members of the International Cricket Council shall decide the status of matches of three or more days duration played in their countries. c) In matches of three or more days duration played in countries which are not Full Members of the International Cricket Council: i) If only one team comes from a Full Member country or both teams come from the same Full Member country then that country shall decide the status; otherwise i If both teams come from different Full Member countries then the status shall be decided by agreement between those countries if possible; otherwise ICC shall decide. Note: Governing Bodies agree that the interest of First-Class cricket will be served by ensuring that First-Class status is not accorded to any match in which one or other of the teams taking part cannot on a strict interpretation of the definitions be adjudged First-Class. Matches involving age-group teams up to and including U19 shall not be classified as First-Class matches. Note: Decisions regarding the awarding a match First-Class status should whenever possible be taken and announced by the relevant governing body prior to its commencement, failing which as soon as possible thereafter. Where a decision regarding First-Class status has already been made, including in respect of all matches played prior to these classifications taking effect, any subsequent reversal of a decision (i.e. to upgrade a match to First-Class status or downgrade it from First-Class status) shall be permitted only in exceptional circumstances, and then only with the approval of ICC. Note: Any known breaches of the above provisions relating to the use of substitutes may result in the match where the breach was committed retrospectively losing its first class status. Such a decision on the status of the match where the breach was committed will be taken by the ICC Chief Executives Committee (CEC). 4
1.6 FIRST-CLASS STATUS The following matches of three or more days duration shall be regarded as First-Class, subject to the provisions of the First-Class match definition being complied with. The list below is not exhaustive and covers tournaments rather than one-off fixtures. It is therefore merely indicative of the matches which would fall into the First Class definition. i) Test matches i iv) ICC Intercontinental Cup matches Matches by A teams of Full Member countries against teams adjudged First-Class (including the A team of another Full Member country) In all Full Member Countries Matches against teams adjudged First-Class played by official touring teams v) In Afghanistan Ahmad Shah Abdali Regional (ASA) tournament vi) v vi ix) In Australia Sheffield Shield matches between states In Bangladesh National Cricket League matches between divisions and Bangladesh Cricket League matches between zones. In England and Wales Division 1 and 2 County Championship matches between counties In India Ranji Trophy matches between states Duleep Trophy matches between zones x) In Ireland Inter-Provincial Championship, played between Provincial Unions xi) x xi xiv) xv) xvi) In New Zealand Plunket Shield matches between provinces In Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Silver In South Africa Franchise tournament matches between franchises CSA Provincial Cup matches between provinces In Sri Lanka Premier Tier A 3 day match Premier Tier B 3 day match Super Provincial 3 or 4 day match In West Indies Regional Four Day competition matches between countries In Zimbabwe Logan Cup between Franchises 5
1.7 LIST A LIMITED OVERS MATCHES Any ODI, or any limited overs cricket match scheduled for one day s duration and of one innings per side with a minimum of 40 overs per side played at least at State, County or Provincial level, or franchise based teams/competitions in a Full Member country or official matches of a touring Test team against at least State, County or Provincial level teams and accorded the status of List A Limited Overs Match by the relevant Governing Bodies. A match will still be regarded as List A Limited Overs even if reduced by bad weather or for other reasons to fewer than 40 overs per side. Note: Performances in List A Limited Overs matches that are abandoned (after the toss) for any reason, including the pitch being considered too dangerous for play to continue, are still recorded in official records. This classification applies irrespective of any sanctions the Governing Body may choose to apply to the home team or ground authority. 1.8 LIST A TWENTY20 MATCHES Any Twenty20 International match, or any limited overs cricket match scheduled for one day s duration and of one innings per side with a limit of 20 overs per side played at least at State, County or Provincial level, or franchise based teams/competitions in a Full Member country or official matches of a touring Test team against at least State, County or Provincial level teams and accorded the status of List A Twenty20 Match by the relevant Governing Bodies. Rules for List A limited overs matches and List A Twenty20 matches a) The status of all matches in an official ICC competition shall be decided by ICC. For matches outside of official ICC competitions, b. and c. below shall apply. b) Full Members of the ICC shall decide the status of matches of one day s duration played in their countries or in tournaments under their jurisdiction. c) In matches of one day s duration played in countries which are not Full Members of ICC: i) If only one team comes from a Full Member country or both teams come from the same Full Member country then that country shall decide the status; otherwise i If both teams come from different Full Member countries then the status shall be decided by agreement between those countries if possible; otherwise ICC shall decide. Note: Performances in List A Twenty20 matches that are abandoned (after the toss) for any reason, including the pitch being considered too dangerous for play to continue, are still recorded in official records. This classification applies irrespective of any sanctions the Governing Body may choose to apply to the home team or ground authority. Note: It is intended that List A matches will be those one day matches played at the highest domestic level. Matches that are primarily arranged as festival, friendly or practice matches and outside of any competitive structure should not qualify as List A matches. 6
The creation of List A, the definition of List A matches and the application of this definition to all limited overs cricket worldwide has all been the work of Philip Bailey of the Association of Cricket Statisticians. Prior to 2007, all decisions regarding the classification of limited overs matches as the one-day counterpart to first-class status were undertaken by the ACS, with no previous involvement from ICC or national Governing Bodies. Since 2007, ICC has been responsible for the definition of List A and has placed future classification decisions in the hands of its Full Members. Therefore Full Members are required to determine which limited-overs matches played under their jurisdiction should be accorded List A status. However, the ACS will continue to maintain the list of matches it believes fulfil the criteria for List A with Full members advising by exception should they wish to add or remove any matches from this list. In order to preserve the integrity of past efforts of the ACS and to ensure the ongoing maintenance of authoritative and consistent records, the following shall apply: a) No attempt will be made by Governing Bodies or ICC to amend retrospectively the status of limited-overs matches, i.e. the catalogue of past List A matches compiled over the years by the ACS will be allowed to stand. b) Governing Bodies will wish to ensure that their future List A classifications are consistent with (a) each other, (b) past decisions and (c) the definition of List A as written by the ACS and adopted by ICC. 1.9 OTHER MATCHES Other cricket played under the auspices of a Member country may be classified by such Member country as Official Cricket. Including but not limited to: a) Matches between the A Teams, National Academy or Age Group Teams of Member countries. b) All other matches played as part of a competition or tournament held under the auspices of a Member including club cricket, schools, age groups and university cricket. c) Matches between Members that are not covered in the regulations above relating to Test Matches, One Day Internationals, T20 Internationals or Other Official Internationals (these matches are not subject to ICC officials arrangements, qualification rules and/or the ICC approved Code of Conduct and playing conditions). 7
2 WOMEN S CRICKET 2.1 TEST MATCHES Test matches are those which: a) Are played in accordance with the ICC Standard Women s Test Match Playing Conditions and other ICC regulations pertaining to Women s Test matches; and b) Are played between teams selected by and representative of the top 10 ranked Members of the ICC in terms of women s cricket. classified as Test matches. 2.2 ONE DAY INTERNATIONAL MATCHES One Day International Matches are those which: a) Are played in accordance with the ICC Standard Women s One Day International Playing Conditions and other ICC regulations pertaining to Women s ODI Matches; and b) Are between: i) Any teams participating in and as part of the ICC Women s World Cup and ICC Women s Championship; or Teams from the top 10 ranked countries of the ICC in terms of women s cricket. classified as ODI matches. 2.3 WOMEN S TWENTY20 INTERNATIONAL MATCHES Women s Twenty20 International Matches are those which: a) Are played in accordance with the ICC Standard Women s Twenty20 International Playing Conditions and other ICC regulations pertaining to Women s Twenty20 Matches; and, b) Any teams participating in and as part of the ICC Women s World Twenty20 or c) Are between Teams from the top 10 ranked countries of the ICC in terms of women s cricket. classified as Women s Twenty20 international matches. Performances in Test matches, ODIs or Twenty20 International matches that are abandoned (after the toss) for any reason, including the pitch being considered too dangerous for play to continue, are still recorded in official records. 8
2.4 COMPETITIVE WOMEN S CRICKET PLAYED AT STATE, PROVINCIAL LEVEL Competitive Women s Cricket matches are those: a) Women s cricket matches of 3 or 4 days scheduled duration and of two innings per side played at least at State or Provincial Level, substantially conforming to ICC standard playing conditions and accorded the status of Competitive Women s Cricket by the relevant Governing Bodies; or b) Limited overs women s cricket matches scheduled for one days duration and of one innings per side played either at State or Provincial level or official matches of a touring Test team against State or Provincial level teams, substantially conforming to ICC standard playing conditions and accorded the status of Competitive Women s Cricket by the relevant Governing Bodies. c) Twenty20 women s cricket matches played either at State or Provincial level or official matches of a touring Test team against State, or Provincial level teams, or franchise based teams/ competitions, substantially conforming to ICC standard playing conditions and accorded the status of Competitive Women s Cricket by the relevant Governing Bodies. Note: It is intended that Competitive Women s Cricket will be the highest level of domestic women s cricket. 2.5 OTHER WOMEN S CRICKET MATCHES Other women s cricket played under the auspices of an ICC Member may be classified by such Member as Official Cricket. Including but not limited to: a) Matches between the A Teams, National Academy or Age Group Teams of Member countries. b) All other women s cricket matches played as part of a competition or tournament held under the auspices of a Member including club cricket, schools, age groups and university cricket. 3 DISPUTES In case of any disputes arising from these Rules, failing unanimous agreement being reached between the disputing parties, the Chief Executive of the ICC shall refer the matter to the ICC Disputes Resolution Committee for its final and binding determination. 9